In 1809, in the war against Austria the Poles
lost only 3 guns and captured 62 guns.

Napoleon called the cavalrymen of
the Krakus Regiment, “my pygmy cavalry.”
But when they began maneuvering,deploying,
charging and ploying, all in a very fast pace,
his amusement switched to admiration.
In the end of the review individual riders
presented their incredible skills.
Stones were placed on the ground and they
came at speed picking them off the ground
with easy.
Napoleon called for the French generals
and said: "look at these kids. They are superb
horsemen, they captured allied general,
Cossack standard and dozens of prisoners.
Then he asked the generals; who of you
brought me a Cossack as prisoner
in the last or this campaign ?"

Picture: Polish troops in the battle of Raszyn, by Suchodolski.

In Borodino in 1812, the Polish infantry crossed bayonets with
the Russian jagers and the famous Pavlovsk Grenadiers.
After the battle the Dutch Red Lancers spent the night
in woods captured by Poniatowski's Polish infantry.
"This part of the field had been taken by the Polish troops
... The ground between the trees was so choked with dead men ...
that the Lancers had to lift scores of corpses out of their way
before they could clear a space to make their bivouac."
(Ronald Pawly - "The Red Lancers" pp 37-38)

At Hohenlinden "Pawlikowski, a 23-year old NCO of uhlans,
noticed Austrian infantry in a copse. Accompanied by a
French chasseur named Gotebeuf, he charged the Austrians...
After killing 2 officers with his lance he took prisoner
1 officer and 57 men. General Decean, who met him leading
the prisoners, offered him a promotion to lieutenant,
but Pawlikowski answered in broken French:
'No know read, no know write, no be officer."
(George Nafziger - "Poles and Saxons" p 100)

"The Poles had no light infantry,
but Lejeune noted that their line infantry
maneuvered much more swiftly than the French"(John Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" p 405)

Polish Infantry.
Weapons, Uniforms and Organization

The Polish infantry maneuvered more swiftly than the French infantry
(according to Lejeune). In terms of marksmanship, although the Poles were better
marksmen than the French they had worse weapons. They used old Prussian muskets, captured
Russian and Austrian weapons, and even some Italian muskets.

The French infantry was famous in Europe for their offensive spirit.
The Polish infantry was extremely effective in defensive actions
(Raszyn 1809 against the Austrians, Soissons 1814 against the Prussians and Russians,
and defending the villages of Mark-kleeberg, Dolitz, Wiederitzsch, Gohlis and
Leipzig's Suburbs 1813). They were also pretty good in urban combat and sieges
(Saragossa against the Spaniards, Smolensk aagainst the Russians,
and Fuengirola 1810 against the British infantry.)

The French had much more battle experience until 1813, the Poles however were
better trained. (Often there was not enough peacetime for the French to train properly
their troops.)

The French were expert skirmishers but also were known for
forming their infantry in heavy, multi-battalion formations vulnerbale to artillery fire.
The Poles avoided such heavy formations all together.
The French and Poles used large number of skirmishers.
For example in Borodino the Polish 16th Division fought in the wooded area near Utica
having 2/3 of its strength fully in skirmish order. In Lepzig, Prince Poniatowski
deployed 6 battalions into a thick skirmish line.

In the Polish infantry served mostly Poles, this is obvious, but there were also
Lithuanians and some Prussians. Chlapowski writes: "I had several Germans [Prussians] from Leszno in my company [of voltigeurs].
I even made one of them a NCO and was very content with him. These men were less able to endure hardships than our Polish men, and so took greater care of themselves in everything which
could preserve their health. In Gniezno, when they first joined us, they did not speak Polish, but soon learnt it well and were always our equals in the thick of battle.
I made sure my Poles did not make fun of them and always treated them as comrades."

When underheavy artillery fire some Polish units sat down to lessen their casualties
(Borodino, Leipzig etc.)

In my humble opinion the French infantry was slightly superior over the Polish infantry (excluding Vistula Legion)
until 1812. In 1813 and 1814 however the Poles became the elite of Napoleon's infantry. Below is rating
of napoleonic troops fighting against Blucher in Leipzig in 1813. (Source: "Napoleon's Grande Armee of 1813")

Elites - French marine infantry and horse artillery, Polish infantry

Crack Troops - French and Polish foot artillery

Veterans - minority of the French infantry

Conscripts - majority of the French infantry

Militia - all French provisional infantry

Polish die-hards in the Battle of Leipzig, 1813
In Leipzig in 1813, the Poles defended the large village of Wiederitzsch.
Disregarding the massive advantage of the Allies in men and guns, Dabrowski's 2nd and 4th
Infantry Regiment marched out of Wiederitzsch and assaulted Langeron's army. Langeron
immediately sent word to Blücher exaggerating Dabrowski's strength. In his memoirs the
Russian general wrote that he had "believed Napoleon himself was attacking him". Few hours
later Dabrowski's 4 battalions again marched out of Wiederitzsch, attacked Rudsevich's 6
battalions, and threw them into great confusion. The Russians reeled back to their positions
near stream. In the fighting they lost commander of Staroskol Infantry
Regiment (killed), GM Schenschin, Mjr. Yussofovich and many others.
Langeron rode to the Schusselburg Infantry Regiment (2 battalions), spoke few words to the
soldiers and personally led them against the Poles. GL Rudsevich with regiment of horse
jagers (2 squadrons) marched nearby as a protection against any attack from Polish or French
cavalry. Behind these troops marched a massive force of 16 battalions and rolled more than
80 guns. The decimated and exhausted Dabrowski's 4 battalions counter-attacked.
This time however they were badly beaten back and pursued. Nearby stood a small detachment
of French infantry and this troop was broken by Russian artillery and pursued by infantry.
Klein-Wiederitzsch was captured and Langeron informed Blucher
about his success.
Prussian Graf Henkel von Donnersmark descibed combat at Gohlis:
"While General Vasilchikov's cavalry were mounting their bold attack ... the infantry of Sacken's corps was not idle.
The general had advanced on the right wing and soon clashed with Dabrowski's Poles [at Gohlis].
Honour should be given to whomsoever earns it, even if it is the enemy, and in this case
I must admit that the Poles repeatedly beat off
the Russian assaults even though heavily outnumbered. Finally, they had to fall back, but they marched off in good order and took up another position
closer to Leipzig. When the Poles and Russians clashed in this campaign, they always did so
violently, asking for, and giving, no quarter, so deep was the hatred between these two nations that are at once so similar
and so dissimilar."
Digby-Smith writes: "... Sacken's Russians had taken Gohlis at the second attempt
despite the brave defence of Dombrowski's Poles, whose flank had been exposed by the flight of
Delmas's [French] division. The Poles withdrew in good order to the Pfaffendorf outwork and then
into the Rosengarten area between the Pleisse and the Elster." (Digby-Smith, - p 169)
When the Russians advanced against Leipzig, Dabrowski's division withdrew behind the
Parthe River. The loss of the Halle Suburb meant disaster to Napoleon's army.
George Nafziger writes: "Gourgaud, one of Napoleon's ADCs, recognized the danger, and
reassured by Dabrowski that he would die before abandoning his position, hurried to advise Napoleon of the threat."
The single battalion of the Italian Milan Guard attempted to defend the Theater.
The Russian jagers stormed it and took it. There was no longer any organized body of French troops
west of the river except Dabrowski's die-hards.
"... Dabrowski's Poles constituted the last formed body of French troops." (Digby-Smith, - p 268)

Twelve regiments of infantry were formed between 1806 and 1807.
Regiment had 2 battalions of 9 companies of 95 men each. In March 1809 it was
changed to 3 battalions of 6 companies of 140 men each.
The 4th, 7th and 9th Regiment were in Spain had raised their company strength to 140 men but
retained the old organization (2 battalions x 9 companies) until May 1812.

There were also three regiments of Vistula Legion. It was a splendid formation.
In 1808 Napoleon stated to Davout that the units of Vistula Legion were to be treated on a
par with French line regiments. The French nationals were not permitted to serve in these
units except as the paymasters or fouriers (company clerks.)
The Legion was under the command of General of Brigade Grabinski: - 1st Infantry Regiment of Vistula Legion - Colonel Chlopicki - 2nd Infantry Regiment of Vistula Legion - Colonel Bialowiejski - 3rd Infantry Regiment of Vistula Legion - Colonel Swiderski - 4th Infantry Regiment of Vistula Legion - it was formed of Austrian prisoners - - and had not enjoyed a good reputation among the senior regiments. - - The uhlan regiment was independent.

In 1811 each infantry regiment received 2 light cannons and raised a depot battalion of 4 companies.
Due to financial difficulties Napoleon took into French pay the 5th, 10th and 11th Infantry
Regiment. Each company had 136 men but the convention between France and Poland signed in
February 1812 added 20 men. The increase was paid by France.
When in 1812 Napoleon liberated Lithuania (which had been part of Poland) several new regiments were organized: - 19th Infantry Regiment (929 men) - Colonel Tuzenhauz - 20th Infantry Regiment (1.014 men) - Colonel Biszping - 21st Infantry Regiment (1.197 men) - Colonel Przezdziecki - 22nd Infantry Regiment (1.133 men) - Colonel Czapski

In April 1812 Napoleon attached the Vistula Legion (four regiments of 2 battalions each) to
the Young Guard. In May third battalions were formed, but they were not to form elite companies as they were
too young. The third battalions followed the army and joined the
parent regiments already during the retreat in the beginning of November.
All four regiments of Vistula Legion fought long and hard. Out of 7.000 men only 500 returned. In June 1813
Napoleon took all the remaining legionnaires and organized one regiment of Vistula under
Colonel Kosinski. In 1813 this unit fought at Leipzig, Hanau, Soissons, Rheims and
Arcis-sur-Aube where Napoleon sought shelter in one of its battalions. These lads were awarded
with tens of crosses of Legion d'Honneur.

In March 1815 Napoleon directed that 1 battalion of Polish infantry begin forming in Rheims.
The 590 men under Chef d'Bataillon Golaszewski were sent to Sedan where was depot of the
disbanded Vistula Legion. Napoleon expected that second battalion will be raised from
prisoners he expected to capture. On June 15th the Polish regiment had only 505 men.

The Polish infantry was armed with muskets and bayonets.
In the beginning there were many Prussian muskets (reworked 1782 Model).
Chlapowski writes: "We received our muskets very quickly. They were of recent manufacture,
taken from the Berlin arsenal from which the Prussians had not managed to evacuate them.
The bayonets were much too long for them, so later we exchanged these for French ones.
We had been drilling without weapons, but as soon as our muskets arrived, the recruits
learned more easily how to march and trim their lines. ... We had a cheerful existence in
Gniezno; drill all morning and French lessons after lunch."
(Chlapowski/Simmons - p 14)

In 1809 appeared several thousands of Austrian muskets (1774 and 1784 Models).
Before the campaign against Russia in 1812, Napoleon provided 40.000
French muskets (1777, 1793 and 1800/1801 Models). In the end of 1812 and beginning
of 1813 Russian muskets (1808 Model) were also used.

The Austrian weapons with rifled barrels (1807 Model) were issued to Polish light
infantry (chasseurs). There were also Italian muskets made in Verona.

Uniforms of Polish Infantry.
In the beginning, due to problems with supplies
part of the Polish infantry wore modified captured uniforms,
mainly Prussian and some Austrian.

Picture: Polish infantry wore dark blue trousers made of warm wool in winter,
and white trousers made of cloth in summer.

In 1806-1807, due to problems with supplies part of the Polish infantry wore modified
captured uniforms, mainly Prussian and some Austrian. Some wore modified civilian clothes.
Gradually, majority of the infantrymen replaced their old uniforms with new ones.

The gaiters were black and short, under knee.
The headwear was either shako or czapka (pronounced as 'chapka') with white eagle
over brass base. Some of the shako had a red band around the top. The edges of
czapka were trimmed with brass.

The 4th, 7th and 9th Infantry Regiment went to Spain and were issued some French uniform articles.

In 1812-1813 many infantrymen received French shakos with tri-color cockade.
Only part of infantry wore the national uniforms: dark blue jacket called kurtka
with lapels, cuffs and collar in divisional (not regimental) color.
In 1813 "After the battle of Dresden 3,000 Austrian deserters of Polish nationality were taken prisoner into the [Poniatowski's VIII] corps; 30 to each company.
Many of them continued to wear their old unifrms." (Digby-Smith, - p 316)

The grenadiers, voltigeurs and fusiliers distinguished themselves with colors of plumes and pompons. For grenadiers they were red,
for fusiliers were black and for voltigeurs light green (in 1812 yellow over green). For officers were white.

The grenadiers wore either black or brown fur caps with or without front plates
or czapka with brass plate bearing a grenade. In 1810-1813 the bearskin
bore a brass plaque bearing a white metal eagle and the regimental number between
two grenades. The grenadiers wore red epauletes, mustaches and large sideburns.
The voltigeurs wore yellow-green epaulettes and some of their shako had a yellow
band around the top. The shako cords were white.
The grenadiers of the Vistula Legion distinguished themselves with white (not red)
cords and white carrot-shape pompons. They wore dark-blue czapka with
yellow sunburst plaques bearing a white eagle and the inscription "Pulk Nadwislanski"
(Vistula Regiment).

Lithuanian Chasseurs
They were formed from outdoorsmen, foresters,
and men who had an experience with hunting weapons, rifles.

In 1806-1807 each of the three legions (divisions) had a single company of strzelców pieszych
(chasseurs-a-pied, light infantry). These companies were formed into a 400-men battalion of
strzelcy. In March 1807 this unit was converged into line infantry and absorbed into the 11th
Infantry Regiment. The chasseurs were armed with muskets and rifled carbines.

In August 1812 it was decided that new six battalions of strzelcy would be
raised in the liberated Lithuania. They were formed from outdoorsmen, foresters,
and men who had an experience with hunting weapons, rifles and muskets.
All were volunteers, no recruits were accepted. They were issued Austrian muskets
with rifled barrels (1807 Model), rifled carbines and muskets. These sharpshooters
were then organized into two regiments of 3 battalions each. But the amount of volunteers
was disappointingly low (624 men) and only one regiment of 2 battalions was raised.
It was the Pulk Strzelców Litewskich (Lithuanian Chasseur Regiment)
This unit was mauled by the Russians at Kojdanow, Beresina River and at Vilna.
But the survivors, in contrast to other units, stayed in the ranks and
retreated across Poland into Germany.

There were no regiments of legere infanterie, so some historians are correct.
If necessary individual companies of voltigeurs were taken from infantry battalions and formed in larger units. For example in 1812 at Smolensk
Prince Poniatowski directed two battalions of converged voltigeurs into the suburbs defended
by Russian infantry. These voltigeurs fought in skirmish order. If voltigeurs were not enough, the line infantry
was capable of fighting as sharpshooters and tirailleurs. For example at Borodino the
Polish 16th Division fought in the wooded area near Utica having 2/3 of its strength fully
in skirmish order.

In Polish artillery served also French officers;
Jean Pelletier, Mallet, Bontempts, Charlot, Daret and others.
They were transferred by Napoleon to Warsaw on Poniatowski's request.
The Frenchmen were professionals, and had positive impact
on the tactics and organization of Polish artillery.

Polish Artillery.
The Poles never formed so-called grand batteries
as there was not enough guns.

The Polish artillery of the Napoleonic Wars was of excellent quality, well trained although
too few in numbers and partially equipped with older guns. The artillery was very effective
in Raszyn in 1809, where they halted Austrian infantry from
breaking the Polish line. In Leipzig in 1813, the few Polish guns dueled with powerful Allies artillery for three days.

In Polish artillery served also French officers; Jean Pelletier, Mallet, Bontempts, Charlot, Daret
and others. They were transferred by Napoleon to Warsaw on Poniatowski's request.
The Frenchmen were professionals, and had positive impact on the tactics and organization of
Polish artillery. There were also Polsih officers who studied in France (for example Roman Soltyk of horse artillery).

The Poles never formed so-called grand batteries as there was not enough guns.
In 1809 at Raszyn Poniatowski deployed 16-gun battery against the Austrians,
in 1812 at Smolensk he set up 16-gun battery. French officer Pelletier who commanded
all Polish batteries took 42 guns and joined the grand French battery pounding the
Russians in the Smolensk. It was a far cry from the monstrous 200-gun Russian battery at
Leipzig or the French 100-gun battery at Wagram.

Firing at ranges of 2.000 paces and more was considered as waste of ammunition.
Prince Poniatowski sometimes used guns in an aggressive way, for example in 1813
several guns participated in the actions of advancing skirmishers.
When firing from a fixed position it was recommended to make a shallow ditch in front
of the battery. This ditch served as a 'trap' for enemy's rolling cannonballs. The gunners
also liked to place their cannons behind obstacles; fences, cultivated fields etc.
It was especially important if the enemy had a strong and aggressive cavalry. It was unlikely
that the Polish gunners would use grenades (shells) if during battle the enemy stood on a
soft or muddy ground.

In 1807-1808 the Polish artillery was commanded by General Wincenty Axamitowski.
The first company of foot artillery was completed in Poznan (Posen) on 29th December 1806.
Another company was organized in the captured fortress of Czestochowa.
In January 1807 the French supplied 7 guns to the next company.
In January 1807 was issued decree which assigned a 3-company artillery battalion to each legion (division).

The Polish 6pdr cannon had crew of 10 men, 12pdr required 13 men and 3pdr 8 men.
The company (battery) usually had 6 guns formed in three sections of 2 guns each,
or two half-batteries of 3 guns each. It was recommended to deploy the battery on a
hard and slightly elevated ground. For communication and passing the orders the foot
artillery had drummers and horse artillery trumpeters.

Companies were organized in fortresses of Torun (Thorn), Praga, Serock and Modlin.

In 1808 one company of artillery was sent to Spain. It consisted of 4 officers and 145
other ranks.

In 1810 was formed entire regiment, it consisted of 4
companies (batteries) each of 6 guns: 4 6pdr cannons and 2 howitzers. The first company
was organized by Cpt. W. Potocki, the second by Roman Soltyk who studied in Paris.

In 1811 was formed artillery depot battalion of 6 companies.
Two light 3pdr cannons were added to each infantry regiment (for this purpose was formed
so-called Auxiliary Artillery Battalion). The foot artillery was under the command of Colonel Gorski, the horse artillery
under Colonel W. Potocki and the Sapper Battalion under Kubicki.

Due to financial difficulties in the Grand Duchy Napoleon took into French pay the artillery
stationed in the fortresses of Gdansk (Danzig) and Kostrzyn (Kustrin).

Between 1807 and 1810 the foot gunners wore dark green coats called kurtka with
black collar, lapels, cuffs, cuff flaps and turnbacks - all piped red. The buttons were
yellow. The privates wore red epauletes, cords and pompons. The trousers were black with
dark green side stripes, their gaiters were black and just under knee. The shako was black
and bore a brass plaque with a white metal eagle over crossed guns with a brass grenade.
Between 1810 and 1813 the vest and summer trousers and gaiters were white. If dark green
breeches were worn, black gaiters completed the outfit.

Between 1807 and 1810 the horse gunners wore a dark green coat called kurtka
The buttons were gold. Two golden grenades were
embroidered on the collar.
Collar, cuffs and facings were piped red. The breeches were dark green with black side
stripes. They wore uhlan headwear, the tall top-squared czapka. Between 1810 and
1813 the czapka was replaced with a colpack/busbie with a dark green bag. To the
colpack were attached red cords, tassels and pompon. They also wore Hungarian boots with
gold trim and tassels.

Between 1810 and 1813 the train drivers wore blue-gray coat with white buttons, light yellow
collar and cuffs. The shako was black with yellow pompon and white eagle.

Poland required numerous and good quality light cavalry to defend its
long borders against the elusive and agile Cossacks and Turks. The Polish cavalry helped to
solidify the eastern wall of Europe for nearly two centuries.
Thereafter, these deeds have been commemorated through plaques, memorials, marches,
literature and the media.

According to American historian John Elting, the "Poles were acknowledged to be the finest lancers in Europe; Russia,
Prussia, and Austria recruited their lancer regiments from among the Polish subjects their
partitionings of the unhappy kingdom had given them. When France marched against all Europe,
Polish volunteers swarmed into its ranks."
(Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" 1997 p 241)

The French cavalry commanders (Marshal Murat, General Lasalle and others) enjoyed leading the Poles into combat.
In Ostrovno in 1812 "Murat ... darted forward,
placing himself in front of the 8th Polish Uhlan Regiment
He excited them with his words and actions, though they were
already enraged by the sight of the advancing Russians. ...
He had no intention of throwing himself with them into the
midst of a melee ... but the Poles were already crouched in the saddle.
The charging cavalry covered the width of the field completely
and pushed Murat before them. He could neither separate from them or stop."
(Nafziger - "Poles and Saxons of the Napoleonic Wars" p 116)
The Polish 10th Hussar Regiment was the first Napoleonic unit to enter Mocow in
1812. They were followed by Prussian uhlans, Wirtembergian chasseurs and Pajol's
French hussars and chasseurs.

The Poles were one of the very few who could challenge the Cossacks.
The Poles enjoyed successes but also suffered two defeats (Mir and Romanow) against these
bearded warriors.
According to Austrian officer A. Prokesch "The Cossack fears horsemen of no nation, except the
Turks. For the Polish lancers he has admiration, because these were capable to fight in closed, as well as in open order,
and because he had to cope with them almost all the time during the latest war.
The French, as long as they possessed cavalry, held back
their own in closed order and sent forward the Polish for
light duties. The German and French light cavalry are not feared by the Cossack.
He will not stand and oppose their formed attacks, and in open order he will surpass them
in manoeuvrability." (A. Prokesch - ‘Ueber den Kosaken, und dessen Brauchbarkeit im Felde’)
The Dutch lancers were too phlegmatic for this kind of warfare. (Britten-Austin)

At Hohenlinden "Pawlikowski, a 23-year old NCO of uhlans, noticed Austrian infantry in a copse. Accompanied by a French chasseur
named Gotebeuf, he charged the Austrians (...) After killing 2 officers with his lance
he took prisoner 1 officer and 57 men. General Decean, who met him leading the
prisoners, offered him a promotion to lieutenant, but Pawlikowski answered in broken
French: 'No know read, no know write, no be officer." (Nafziger - "Poles and Saxons" p 100)

"In 1808, fed up with Spanish sniping, the Lancers of the Vistula climbed down from their saddles and stormed an entrenched Spanish
camp near Saragossa ... During the first phase of the siege they charged a fortified city. They penetrated essentially right to
its center. Unsupported and alone the lancers had to charge back out."
(Elting - "Swords Around a Throne")

In 1811 at Albuera the Vistula uhlans demolished British infantry brigade,
captured several Colors and cannons, and took hundreds of prisoners. All French cavalry put together never captured so many
British colors and prisoners.

In 1813 at Dennewitz three squadrons of 2nd Uhlan attacked and broke three squares formed by the Prussian infantry of Tauentzien's corps.
One squadron of the 2nd Uhlan Regiment attacked Prussian battalion of 3rd Reserve Infantry
Regiment. The infantry was formed in a column with skirmishers as its screen. The uhlans routed the skirmishers killing several
and attacked the column. The Prussians were "savagely handled".

In 1813 at Leipzig, the 1st Chasseurs (armed with lances) broke one Austrian square of Bianchi's division
near the Auenhain sheep-farm, and one square of Russian Helfreich's 14th Division.

In 1813 in Saxony several squadrons of Russian Soumy Hussars and one squadron of Alexandria Hussars
led by the “bloodthirsty and gruesome Figner” marched at night through enemy’s line. They have captured many stragglers who otherwise would reveal their presence. They halted in a village and Figner ordered complete silence. Several marauders who ventured into the village were killed. Only one managed to escape and informed the French command. The Polish uhlans came and with battle cries pushed into the village. The hussars jumped out of their hiding places and a fighting erupted in the short and narrow streets.
Von Löwenstern wrote that many hussars were unsaddled and littered on the ground.
The others fled with the Poles hot on their heels. The flight was slowed down by a narrow
defilee and the Poles again got their lance into work. According to von Löwenstern
(pages 136-137) when they finally escaped they were happy for the next days not to see the
uhlans again and were able to catch their breath again.
(According to Löwenstern, Figner was killed later on at Reichenbach by drowning in a
river being surrounded by Polish cavalrymen.)

Antoni Rozwadowski from the Polish 8e Uhlans
described fighting with the Russian cavalry at Borodino: “On that day (Sep 5th) the 6e Uhlans formed the first line, and we the 8e were formed in echelon” when Russian dragoons attacked. According to Rozwadowski the soil was dry and a huge, thick cloud of dust made his 8e invisible to the enemy. The Russians continued their advance against the 6e before the 8e attacked the left flank of the dragoons. The enemy fled in disorder.
After this action the 8e and 6e Uhlans moved to a new position behind a wood. There the regiments were formed in column, one after another and only the brigades stood in echelon. Soon the uhlans noticed Russian cavalry again charging against them. At a long distance the enemy looked similar to the dragoons just recently defeated and the Poles rushed forward certain of victory. When both sides were closer the uhlans realized that these “dragoons” were cuirassiers and the 6e fled toward the 8e. The 8e was disorganized and both regiments fled and broke the Prussian hussars who stood in the rear. Only the next cavalry brigade who stood in echelon to the Poles counterattacked and threw the Russian cuirassiers back.
(Rozwadowski - “Memoir” Biblioteka Zakladu Ossolinskich, rekopis 7994)

In 1813 at Leipzig the 3rd, 6th and 8th Uhlan Regiment (mostly veterans) didn't shy
away from the cuirassiers. Near Auenhain Sheep-farm the three units charged numerous times against six Austrian and two Russian cuirassier
regiments. The Poles pointed their lances at cuirassiers' faces, necks and groins.
(According to P. Haythornthwaite "lance can be aimed at a target with greater accuracy
than a sword.") They also used lances as battering rams - striking at tops of opponents'
helmets with force.

In 1814 officer Skarzynski overwhelmed and ridden down by a flood of Cossacks,
wrenched an "especially heavy" lance from one of them and - wild with the outraged fury of
despair - spurred amuck down the road, bashing every Cossack skull that came within his reach.
Rallying and wedging in behind him, his Polish handful cleared the field.
The same day Napoleon made Skarzynski the Baron of the Empire.

In 1813 in Saxony, several squadrons of Russian Soumy
Hussars and one squadron of Alexandria Hussars led by the “bloodthirsty and gruesome Figner”
marched at night through enemy’s line. They have captured many stragglers who otherwise would
reveal their presence. They halted in a village and Figner ordered complete silence.
Several marauders who ventured into the village were killed. Only one managed to
escape and informed the French command.
The Polish uhlans came and with battle cries pushed into the village. The Russians jumped
out of their hiding places and a fighting erupted in the short and narrow streets.
Von Löwenstern wrote that many hussars were unsaddled and littered on the ground.
The others fled with the Poles hot on their heels. The flight was slowed down by a narrow
defilee and the Poles again got their lance into work. According to von Löwenstern
(pp 136-137) when they finally escaped they were happy for the next days not
to see the uhlans again and were able to catch their breath again.
Figner’s detachment then moved toward Königswartha (?). They attacked French 10th
Hussars. The French hussars wearing their sky blue dolmans didn’t expect the
enemy from this side and fled without resistence. The Russians chased them until
the line of enemy’s infantry and artillery. Musket volleys and canister halted
the pursuers.
Near Lauban they were attacked by Saxon hussars attacked them. Löwenstern’s friend
was taken prisoner. The Russians retreated through a village toward the positions
where stood the rest of Figner’s detachment. Group of Don Cossacks
(Karpov’s division) was ordered to attack the pursuing Saxons but showed little
zeal. Furious Figner rode to their officer and strucked him with horsewhip.
(According to Löwenstern, the commander of detachment, Figner, was killed at Reichenbach
by drowning in a river being surrounded by Polish cavalry.)

In 1812 in the Battle of Chirikovo the Polish cavalry "showed a marked superiority
over the French" cavalry. (Riehn - "1812: Napoleon's Russian Campaign")
On 29 September the Poles and French fought with the Russians led by Raievski and
Miloradovich.

Poland was an open, flat country bordering the steppes of Asia.
It always had a high ratio of cavalry, higher than any western European army.
General Jomini wrote: "As a general rule, it maybe stated that an army in an open country
should contain cavalry to the amount of 1/6 its whole strength; in mountainous countries
1/10 will suffice."
In Poland the ratio was even higher.
Actually Poland (Grand Duchy of Warsaw) was the only country in Europe which in some
point had an army with more cavalry regiments than
infantry regiments. In contrast Switzerland had almost no cavalry at all.
In the end of 1813 Napoleon entertained thoughts of completely disbanding Polish infantry
and organizing four uhlan and two Polish-Cossack regiments.

The Polish cavalry regiment consisted of staff and usually 3 (in 1806-1809) or 4 squadrons of two
companies each. The 4-squadron regiment was commanded by colonel, major, 2 chefs d'escadron
and 2 adjutanbts-majors. There were also standard-bearer and trumpet-major.
In 1810 the organization of company was as follow:
4 officers: captain, lieutenant and 2 sous-lieutenants
14 NCOs: sergeant-major, 4 sergeants, fourrier and 8 corporals
Others: blacksmith, 2 trumpeters and 79 privates
Total strength = 100 men (+ 2 enfants de troupe)

In November 1809 were formed: - 7th Uhlan Regiment (840 men in 4 squadrons) - Colonel Zawadzki - 8th Uhlan Regiment (954 men in 4 squadrons) - Colonel Rozwadowski - 9th Uhlan Regiment (936 men in 4 squadrons) - Colonel Przyrzychowski - 10th Hussar Regiment - "Golden Hussars" (803 men) - Colonel Uminski - 11th Uhlan Regiment (899 men in squadrons) - Colonel A. Potocki - 12th Uhlan Regiment (943 men in squadrons) - Colonel Rzyszczewski - 13th Hussar Regiment - "Silver Hussars" (1.048 men !) - Colonel Tolinski - 14th Cuirassier Regiment (610 men in 2 squadrons) - Colonel MalachowskiThe Poles formed one regiment of cuirassiers but Napoleon felt
that they were too expensive and suggested chasseurs or uhlans.
So the King of Saxony (the head of the Duchy of Warsaw) issued decree that directed the conversion
of these cuirassiers into chasseurs. Poniatowski attempted to persuade him into converting
the cuirassiers into dragoons but the King repeated his statement. Poniatowski agreed but
added that it will take a long time due to practical obstacles. Soon however erupted war
against Russia and there was no time and money for the conversion. - 15th Uhlan Regiment (916 men in 4 squadrons) - Colonel Trzecieski - 16th Uhlan Regiment (661 men in 4 squadrons) - Colonel Tarnowski

In 1811 each cavalry regiment raised a depot squadron of 2 companies.
Due to financial difficulties in the Grand Duchy Napoleon in early 1812 took into French
pay the 9th Uhlan Regiment.

In May 1815 Napoleon issued a decree organizing the 7e Chavauleger-Lancier Polonais.
It consisted of 350 men and only 13 horses. The lancers fought on foot in the defense
of the bridges in Sevres earning Marshal Davout's praise. After Napoleon's abdication all
the foreign regiments were disbanded. The Polish units were absorbed into the Russian army
except the lancers - they refused to serve for the Tsar, were disbanded and allowed to stay
in France.

The czapka was a traditional Polish headwear. The edges of the top square were
reinforced with yellow metal and white cords (red for elite companies) hung from corner
to corner. Tall black plume was worn on the front peak of the czapka
(red for elite company and white for senior officers). There were also in use some
non-regulation plumes cut "a la russe" or uncut long horse hair cascading down from the top.
(Nafziger and Wesolowski - "Poles and Saxons of the Napoleonic Wars" p 51)
A yellow "Amazon's Shield" bore regimental number and a white metal eagle.
Some regiments however preffered a sunburst plaque with the eagle superimposed
(the regiments formed in Lithuania wore a mounted knight instead of eagle).
Just above the turban was worn a white band (golden for officers).

The lance pennants were of different colors:
- red over white in 2nd, 3rd, 15th and 16th Uhlan Regiment
- red over white and a dark blue triangle at the shaft of the lance
in 7th, 8th, 9th, 11th and 12th Uhlan Regiment
- blue over white in 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st Uhlan Regiment

The men of elite company of uhlan regiment wore one of the three types of headwear:
- bearskin
- colpack/busbie with red bag
- czapka sewn around with black lambskin (it lloked like bearskin)

From left to right:
- trumpeter, officer, private of centre company, private of elite company of 2nd Uhlan Regiment in 1810.
- private of elite company and private of centre company of 8th Uhlan Regiment in 1810-1812.

The chasseurs-a-cheval wore dark green coat (kurtka) with yellow buttons and dark green
breeches. The boots were below knee. The men of elite company in every regiment wore black
busbies/colpacks with a bag in regimental color. Red plume and red cords were attached to the
headwear. The men of center companies wore shako with metal plaque and white cords.
The plume was in regimental color (tipped with dark green). The senior officers distinguished
themselves with white plumes and silver cords.

Uniforms of Chasseurs-a-Cheval

Regiment

Coat

Collar

Cuffs

Turnbacks

1st

Dark Green

Red

Red

Red

4th

Dark Green

Crimson

Crimson

Crimson

5th

Dark Green

Orange

Orange

Orange

From left to right:
- trumpeter and officer of 1st Chasseur Regiment in 1812.
- private of centre company and private of elite company of 1st Chasseur Regiment in 1810-1812.

The hussars wore dark blue dolman and dark blue pelisse with black fur for the 10th Regiment
or white for the 13th. (Nafziger - "Poles and Saxaons of the Napoleonic Wars" p 50)
The lace between rows of buttons for officers was strung gold for the 10th Regiment and silver
for the 13th. The collar was crimson, the breches were dark blue with yellow (for 10th) or
white (for 13th) single side stripes and thigh knots. For campaign they wore grey breeches
with crimson side straps and the inside of the legs strengthened with leather. All hussars
wore Hungarian boots.
The shako was black (in 10th) or light blue (in 13th), black plumes was
attached to shakos. The men of elite company wore black busbies/colpacks with red cords and
red plumes. The senior officers distinguished themselves with gold or silver cords and white
plumes.

The cuirassiers were dressed like their French counterparts.
The breeches were white leather, the plume was red, the black boots were reaching above the
knees. The collar was red. The privates wore red epauletes, the NCOs had red with yellow
and the officers gold epauletes. The helmet and cuirass were of French model.
(Note: there were no cuirasses after 1812).

The uhlans were armed with saber, pistol and a lance.
The chasseurs-a-cheval were armed with sabers, carbines and were issued lances for the
1809 and 1813 campaigns (to make up for the lack of carbines).
The "Krakus" Regiment carried lances but never carbines.

The Polish cavalry could be seen to have been instrumental in the retention of the lance
until its widespread readoption in the Napoleonic period. Napoleon send Polish lancers
as instructors to the French lancer regiments. There were regulations for the exercise and
manoeuvres of the lance compiled entirely from the Polish system instituted by Prince
Poniatowski and General Krasinski. These were also adapted to the formations, movements
and exercise of the British cavalry by Reymond Hervey De Montmorency (London, 1820)
The Polish lance was 265-277 cm long. It was quite light
weapon, so much so that one could hold it between the looped forefinger and the middle finger
of the right hand raised above the head, delivering, in this manner a very powerful thrust
called "par le moulinet'. In the hands of an experienced uhlan it was an effective and
terrible weapon. (Nafziger and Wesolowski - "Poles and Saxons of the Napoleonic Wars"
p 48)

The Poles carried captured Prussian and Austrian carbines and French 1763 and Model
1786 carbines. Many pistols were the French Model 1777.

French officer de Brack on lance.

Q: Is the lance a very effective weapon?
A: Its moral effect is the greatest, and its thrusts the most murderous of all weapons.Q: In war, should the use of the lance conform to the directions contained in the regulations?
A: No; as a general rule the trooper must consider himself the centre of a circle whose circumference is described by the point of his weapon; but the lancer must limit his points to the half-circle in his front, and cover the rear half by the "around parry."Q: Why?
A: The points are certain only so long as the nails are up and the forearm and body control the direction of the weapon. Where these two indispensable conditions do not exist, points which the enemy might easily parry, and which might disarm you, should not be risked. The very least objection to thrusts thus hazarded would be their uselessness, and, in war, uselessness is the synonym of ignorance and danger.Q: What then are the "points" to which one should confine himself in action?
A: The "right-front" and "left-front" points; the "right" and "left" points against infantry; the "right," "left," and "around parries."Q: But, should the hostile cavalry follow and press you closely?
A: Use against them the "right," "left," and "around parries," which become powerful offensive movements, when properly employed. In fact, the point cannot fail to reach the man, or the head of his horse, and the weight of the arm doubling the force of its impulsion, the enemy will be at once overthrown, or the horse be immediately stopped by the thrust.
I have witnessed a hundred illustrations of the truth of this, and, among others, may cite the case of the intrepid Captain Brou (now Colonel of the 1st Lancers), who, while near Eylau, in a charge which we made upon the Cossacks, believed himself already master of one of them, whom he had taken on his left side, and who held his lance at a "right front;" but the Cossack, standing up in his stirrups, and executing rapidly an "around parry," threw the Captain to the ground; his horse was captured, and he would have been made prisoner also, but for a courageous and skilfully executed charge made by Major Hulot, then commanding the 7th Hussars. I saw the Captain's wound dressed, and his shoulder was gashed as though cut with the edge of a sabre.
…. I have seen old Cossacks, charged by our troops with their short weapons, face and await them firmly, the point of the lance not to the front, because they judged from the boldness of the attack that their points would be parried - and that once closed in upon they would be lost - but with the lance to the right front, as in the first motion of "left parry," then responding to the attack with a "left parry," brush aside the attackers by this movement, volt to the left, and find themselves, in their turn, naturally taking the offensive by pursuing the enemy on his left.Q: How should lance thrusts be made in action?
A: I repeat, the lance must always be held with the whole hand closed upon it, the fingers upwards, and no movement requiring the fingers to be held downwards, should be attempted, because the weight of the weapon may cause it, if parried by the enemy, to escape from the hand.
… To carry the hand to the rear only to thrust it forward again, is both useless and dangerous. Your point will always have enough spring, strength, and reach to traverse the body of a man.
… In campaign an officer should frequently inspect his lances, and see that they are kept sharp and well greased. Wounds made in the body by lances kept in good condition are almost always mortal. I have seen troopers of our army receive as many as twenty wounds, made by Cossack lances, without dying of them or even being disabled. Q: To what do you attribute that?
A: To the inferior quality of the Cossack weapons, to the little care taken of them, and, above all, to a cause worth while to explain. The lances of the Cossacks who used to fight against us were not shod at the butt end, so, when the lancer dismounted, to avoid leaving the lance lying on the ground, he stuck the point into the soil, and thus blunted it. Hence you will remember that, under no pretext, are you to stick the point of your lance into the ground, and that it would be a hundred times better to throw it on the ground than to keep it standing up at such a cost.
The French lance needs improvement; the ash of which the staff is made is so heavy that it makes it difficult to handle, and, when carried in the socket, injures the horse's withers. The wood does not, by its strength, compensate for this disadvantage; for being cut in blocks and the grain crossed, it breaks easily and in a way that makes repairing difficult.
Another fault is the too great size of the pennons which present to the wind so large a surface that the staves are quickly bent, so that points cannot be made as accurately as they should be; quickness and lightness in handling them are diminished, and on the road the horse and the lancer's arm are uselessly fatigued by the constant backward pressure.
To correct these faults, in route marches the pennons should be removed, and attached only when it is desired to make ourselves recognized by friends or enemies; to shift the lance alternately from the right boot to the left, and frequently to remove it entirely from the boot, so that it may be carried by the lancer himself.
The rolled coat may be considered a defensive weapon. The habit of rolling it, and crossing it over the chest, in view of an engagement, has three advantages: first, it clears the opening of the pistol holster; second, it allows the bridle hand to be carried nearer to the horse's neck, which facilitates the control of the horse; and, third, it protects the trooper. But the trooper must be careful of two things: first, to so roll and cross his coat as not to be constrainted by it, and, second, in a charge to avoid being seized by it, and unhorsed and captured.
Although to lose one's arms is, generally speaking, a shame, yet there is one case where a lancer is excusable for losing his lance - that is, when he has run it clean through an enemy.
Several times, I have seen lances so well used that the weapon, caught between the ribs, after having penetrated the shoulder blade, could not possibly be withdrawn; the dying man, convulsed with pain, carried away by his horse, drew along with him the lance and the lancer vainly struggling to disengage his weapon. At Reichenbach, the bravest lancer of my regiment was killed under similar circumstances, in disobedience of my orders, through a misunderstood, stubborn sense of honor. In vain I called out to him, "Your lance is well lost"; he did not believe me, and being cut off from his comrades, was overwhelmed by numbers, and killed.
Near Lille, a young soldier of the same regiment found himself in a similar condition; I made him abandon his lance. The Prussian whom he had run through fell about 50 paces from the spot where he was wounded; we retook the ground which he had been obliged to yield for a few minutes, and my lancer having dismounted to recover his lance, succeeded in doing so only by carefully pushing it through in the same direction in which it entered.
At Waterloo, when we charged the English squares, one of our lancers, not being able to break down the rampart of bayonets which opposed us, stood up in his stirrups and hurled his lance like a spear; it passed through an infantry soldier, whose death would have opened a passage for us, if the gap had not been quickly closed. That was another lance well lost. “

The horses of central and eastern Europe being smaller and more agile, the first application
of their capabilities for war purposes seems everywhere to have been as light cavalry mounts.
The Poles, thanks to their wars against the Turks, Cossacks and Russians who always had
an excellent lighthorsemen, had maintained greater dash and mobility than many of the
westerners. Prussian king Frederick the Great, considered the big "German horses" as the
best suited for heavy cavalry. The "Polish horses" (Polish, Hungarian and Russian) were
considered as the best for the light cavalry and were obtained from the well-paid Jewish dealers. The king and his generals rode on
English horses. The Polish horses were used not only by Polish cavalry, but also by Saxon
hussars and chevaulegers and Prussian, Austrian and French light cavalry.
Most common colors were bays and chestnuts.

The big horses for Polish 14th Cuirassier Regiment were purchased in Germany.

Poland had large studs of horses for light and medium cavalry.
Napoleon purchased thousands of Polish horses, and thousands were simply taken by the French
troops. Even in 1812. According to Vaudoncourt some of the Lithuanian uhlans survived the
campaign in Russia in pretty good shape. Unfortunatelly, the 17th and 19th Uhlan Regiment
were stripped of all their horses in an effort to remount Napoleon's cavalry of Imperial Guard.
(Nafziger - "Lutzen and Bautzen" p 9)

Chlapowski writes: "Foot drill went very well with such enthusiastic citizens as tehse, but mounted drill
was very difficult as their horses were all too lively for the ranks and kept breaking up
the lines. One should avoid putting over-lively horses in the ranks, as horses always become
livelier still when brought together."
(Chlapowski / Simmons - p 9)
In 1812 the cavalry was excellent. Chlapowski writes: "I was most impressed by the
appearanace of Prince Sulkowski's cavalry division. They had a good soldierly appearance
and their horses were magnificent. ... the 5th Chasseurs, who were very fine and even
better mounted than the 13th 'Silver' Hussars."

The Krakus Regiment
Napoleon called them “my pygmy cavalry.”
But when they began maneuvering,
deploying, charging and ploying,
all in a very fast pace, his amusement
switched to admiration.

The Krakusi Regiment, pronounced crack-coosee, was formed in 1813.
On 25th September 1813 on the road to Bautzen the Polish troops met Napoleon.
The Emperor reviewed the Krakus Regiment mounted on their peasant ponies and
laughed out loud. He called them “my pygmy cavalry.” But when they began maneuvering,
deploying, charging and ploying, all in a very fast pace, his amusement switched to admiration. In the end of the review individual riders presented their incredible skills.
Stones were placed on the ground and they came at speed picking them off the ground with
easy. They were the wizards of the saddle. Impressed Napoleon called for the commanders of French cavalry and said: look at these
kids. They are superb horsemen, they captured allied general, Cossack standard and dozens of prisoners.
And they accomplished it in short time.
Then he asked the generals; who of you brought me a Cossack as prisoner in the last or this
campaign ? Then he turned to General Uminski and said: I want 3.000 of such warriors.
"Generale, musze miec takich 3.000 ludzi". (Morawski & Wielecki - "Wojsko Ksiestwa
Warszawskiego", Vol I p 122)

In 1813 the officers gave commands by waving a handkerchief, in 1814 this function was
performed by using a horsetail on a pike in the manner of the wild Tartars. It was excellent tool for small warfare
as the regular cavalry used the trumpets for communication, more suited for noisy battlefield than for chasing the
elusive Cossacks.

In 1814 the privates adopted an unusual melon-like crimson beret.
The Krakus wore the folk costume of the Krakow region. The headwear was called krakuska and consisted of square topped but
soft (hard for uhlans and infantry) czapka without the visor. The krakuska
was red with black or white lambskin turban. Some privates wore captured Cossack colpacks.
The cockade and plume were white. Their single breasted and full skirted coat was either brown or white with embroidery and
appliques. The collar and cuffs were crimson with white piping. A crimson sash was worn
at the waist. The legwears were either wide pantaloons (Cossack type) or tight breeches.

The privates were armed with lances (with or without pennants), sabers and pistols.
No carbines, no musketoons, no rifles.

The Krakus Regiment was a valuable unit for Napoleon. Some of the privates and
officers spoke German and Russian language, their uniforms, horses and weapons were cheap
and they beat the hell out of the Cossacks as no other French or Polish unit.
Below are descriptions of several combats between the Krakus and the Cossacks.

On 5th September 1813 the Krakus met several sotnias of Cossacks between Ebersbach, Sluknow and
Kottmarsdorf. Two squadrons of Krakus under Major Rzuchowski attacked from the front,
while one squadron under Captain Celinski moved around enemy's flank to cut it off from Herrnhut.
The Cossacks were routed and lost 98 men (30 killed, 18 wounded and 50 were taken prisoner). The Krakus also captured
approx. 100 horses. The Krakus lost 3 wounded.
(Lukasiewicz - "Armia Ksiecia Jozefa, 1813" p 239)

On 9th September 1813 at Strahwalde, General Uminski with Krakus Regiment (4 squadrons)
and the Polish 14th Cuirassier Regiment (1-2 squadrons) charged against several sotnias of
Cossacks and some dragoons (2 squadrons).
The Cossacks fled before contact was made. The Krakus pursued them for a while and then
made a turn and attacked the dragoons fleeing before the cuirassiers (no armor).
The enemy lost 35 (incl. 10 prisoners), the Poles had 6 wounded.
In this combat NCO Godlewski of the Krakussi captured standard of Grekov-V's Cossack Regiment.
The trophy was immediately sent to Napoleon and Godlewski was awarded with two awards: French Legion d'Honneur and Polish Virtuti
Militari. Unfortunately the standard was lost later on when the Russians captured an adjutant with it.
(Lukasiewicz - "Armia Ksiecia Jozefa, 1813" p 242)
The Krakus and squadron of cuirassiers were finally halted at Ebersdorf by Russian tirailleurs
(foot jagers in skirmish order ?)

In Gossnitz the regiment of Russian Soumy Hussars attacked part of the Krakus Regiment
and took 60 prisoners. Edouard von Lowenstern writes: "In Gossnitz we bumped into the Krakau Cossacks, we flew at them,
cut them up and - as they were badly mounted - captured some 60 of them."

The quality of the Polish cavalry regiments varied, the best were the Guard Lancers and the
Vistula Uhlans. The uhlans were the most numerous, some regiments were excellent (2nd, 3rd, 4th,
6th and 8th) while others were below the average. All three chasseurs regiments were superb.
Below is a list of the best Polish cavalry regiments.